Adopt

Fees

Our adoption fees are on a sliding scale; choose the amount that’s right for you. Fees for senior dogs (7 years and older) are on a sliding scale of $90 to $125; fees for dogs 1-6 years are on a sliding scale of $125-$175; fees for dogs under 1 year of age are $150-$200.

If you are 65 years or older, the adoption fee is waived when you adopt a senior dog. All Dogs Forever dogs have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated against rabies and distemper/parvo, tested for heartworm and Lyme disease, and microchipped.

Process

If you are interested in one of our dogs, please e-mail us at dogsforever@netins.net. An application and a home visit are part of the adoption process. We have an all-volunteer staff and most of us have “day jobs” so it usually takes around one week to process an application.

Location

Dogs Forever Safe Place moved to a new location on February 23, 2013: 809 Rockford Road SW. We are open to the public 10-2 every Saturday. Come and meet our dogs, learn about volunteer opportunities and shop in our store next door, at 817 Rockford Road SW. If you want to meet one of our dogs but Saturday isn’t a good time, you can set up an after-hours appointment. Contact us at dogsforever@netins.net or 319-481-0977.

Senior Dogs

Our priority at Dogs Forever is to identify senior dogs (generally, seven years and older) who are being held at shelters or at vet clinics in counties without shelters. As long as a dog is of good temperament and we have an opening , we will accept the dog regardless of size or breed. Once the dog is with Dogs Forever, we will provide veterinary care and begin the process of matching the dog with a senior citizen through our “Seniors for Seniors” program. However, any person 21 years or older can adopt a senior dog; you are not required to be a senior person to adopt a senior dog.

Adult Dogs

Dogs Forever works with reputable rescues to identify adult dogs that are at risk of being euthanized at shelters. While our focus is on networking and arranging transport for dogs from shelters to rescues, we do sometimes have foster dogs of our own and up to four dogs at our Dogs Forever Safe Place in Cedar Rapids. While our foster dogs and Safe Place dogs are are no longer at risk of being euthanized, the fact remains that the sooner they are adopted, the sooner a dog can be moved from “death row” at a shelter to the safety of Dogs Forever. Please spread the word that our dogs need homes!

Available Dogs

T-Dog is about 6 months old. He's a 10 lb Chihuahua mix and is sweet sweet sweet! He loves other dogs and loves to play. He can be nippy with very small children (thanks to his prior experience with some kids who weren't very nice to him). He's a lap dog, very happy and a pretty calm disposition, not Chihuahua-like. So cute! T-Dog is still working on potty training, so his new family will need to be consistent and patient with him on that. He is currently living in a foster home and they have reported that if they didn't already have a couple of dogs, they would be keeping him. Please let us know if you are interested in this little dude!

Suki was found on the Cedar Trail in Cedar Rapids in pretty bad shape. Her eyes were completely matted shut and her nails were very long. She is now much healthier but can only see shadows. She is extremely sweet and just needs a lap to sit on. We love her and we know that you will too! She is living in a foster home and gets along fine with the cats and dogs that live there. Let us know if you are interested in adopting this awesome girl!

Let me guess: You sing in the car. Loudly. Off-key. And did I mention loudly? Or you snore, or talk in your sleep, or like to practice your bagpipe playing. Well, that might make a lesser dog than I, Zeke, have second thoughts about coming to live with you and love you, but not me! That's because my heart is SO ENORMOUS and my potential for devotion is PRACTICALLY BOTTOMLESS. Tell me that's not a relationship made in HEAVEN! Tell me you're not frantically reading these words, thinking, "MY GOD! I must find out how to adopt this dog RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE!" Calm down, off-key-singing person! I have all the information you need to adopt me, or share me with some other bagpipe-playing human who needs me in their life. Just contact Dogs Forever and they'll tell you everything you need to do. Now go!

Frannie is a super sweet girl, approximately 5 years old, who would fit in well almost anywhere. Her foster family has 2 other dogs, 2 cats, and a toddler, all of whom she gets along with perfectly. She is shy around new people, but never aggressive. Frannie loves to curl up next to you, but will also run around the yard and play. She spends the night in her kennel quietly, and rarely barks or howls at all.

Helloooooo nice person! I'm Piper; who are you? You say you're looking for a dog??? That's amazing! Because I am a dog! You say you knew that? That you came here to the rescue group looking for ME? Truly? You saw me online or on a poster and said I was a UNBELIEVABLY BEAUTIFUL brindle girl who needed someone JUST LIKE THEM to be totally happy for the rest of her life? Well, isn't that awesome! I guess that means we're going to be best friends FOREVER! I am a big love bug who can share you with another big dog but puh-leeze let's not have any little dogs or cats. And to think it all started with a picture.

Well hello there! My name is Dutch and I'm here at Dogs Forever because my owner can't care for me anymore. The folks at the shelter are nice to me but I would really like to go to a home where I can have my own people and get lots of love and attention. I'm 10 years old and weigh 75 lbs. Do you think you have room in your heart and your home for a guy like me?

Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? He's at Dogs Forever, silly! This big guy loves to get belly rubs and is a big softy at heart. He was found running down the middle of Hwy 30 in sub-zero weather. This sweetie deserves a loving home and we hope you will give him a chance!

Daisy is a sweet gal looking for a forever home. She is in a foster home right now and is doing great there but would really like a family to call her own. Is that you?
Since Daisy was a stray, we are guessing at her breed and age.

I'm so glad you stopped to read my profile! My name is Jeffy and I'm amazing, if I do say so myself. I am very funny and love to entertain. I guarantee that I will make you laugh out loud on a regular basis. I'm pretty good at snuggling too. I like other dogs and don't mind an occasional cat either. So as you can see, I'm pretty much the best dog ever! I think you should meet me to see for yourself. Let Dogs Forever know if you'd like to adopt me. Thanks!

Lilly is a LOVER!!! She is energetic and so excited to meet everyone! She is estimated at 2 yrs old and is loads of fun. Come and meet her during our open hours at our shelter. We are open every Saturday 10 am - 2 pm and are located at 809 Rockford Rd SW. Hope to see you there!

Grizz is a pit bull, 45 lbs., a little over a year old. He is housetrained and a smart little guy but he has been living in a chaotic house and needs a stable foster home without small kids. He needs an experienced dog handler to teach him manners and give him security through consistency. Grizz is crazy for chasing tennis balls. For more info, e-mail nancycrist@netins.net.

DAISY is a very pretty and friendly girl, likely a pit bull terrier mix. She has the typical love of life that is a pit bull standard. She enjoys the company of people and tackles every day with a smile and a great attitude. She is a young adult under 3 years of age and 60 lbs. She was picked up as a stray in CR. Dogs Forever took her into its care on 9-6-13 because the local animal control was full, putting dogs at risk of being euthanized. Daisy is best as an only dog.

NOAH is an affectionate and energetic boy who loves to play with Casey, who is at the same foster home. He is a 70-lb. dog, 6-year-old pit bull terrier. Noah has been waiting a long time and it is so unfair that he does not have a family or person of his own.
Noah has not been around kids so he needs to find an adult-only home. He should be the only male dog, but he is very good with most females, even bossy ones!Can you provide a safe and loving home for this deserving boy?

CASEY is a 6-year-old, 70-lb. female American Staffordshire Terrier (DNA tested). Her resume is hard to beat: She is gorgeous, friendly, good with kids and a happy happy girl. She is also a skilled mouser. Casey is good with most dogs when properly introduced. Her favorite buddy is Noah, a pit bull being fostered at the same home.
Casey is very high energy and needs daily exercise. She would be happiest in a home with a fenced yard.